Updated: Apr. 24, 2024
Relish is for more than hot dogs and burgers—and it doesn't have to be made from pickles. So, what is in relish? You can make this versatile condiment with anything grown in your garden!
You’ve seen relish at the grocery store, usually sold in jars labeled “sweet” or “dill pickle.” It’s easy to conclude that pickles define this condiment, but it turns out there’s a whole world of relish beyond the popular hot dog topper. Read on to learn what relish is and how to make it with almost any fruit or vegetable.
What Is Relish?
Relish is a preserved condiment made from finely chopped fruits or vegetables. Unlike most condiments (we’re looking at you, ketchup and mustard), relish has a chunky texture instead of a smooth consistency.
In the United States, the most common relish is made from chopped pickled cucumbers, either dill or sweet pickles. It’s used as a topping on sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs. But in other parts of the world, popular relishes are made with other ingredients. In England, piccalilli is a turmeric-spiced relish made from cauliflower and other vegetables that’s served alongside ham, sausage or toast. In El Salvador, curtido (made from cabbage, onions and carrots) is served with pupusas, while Italy has mostarda, a fruit relish that’s served with fatty or rich meats.
What do all of these relishes have in common? Vinegar. It not only preserves the fruit and vegetables, but also brings relish’s characteristic acidic tang. Without it, relish would be nothing more than a slaw or a salad!
Don’t miss our Test Kitchen-approved homemade condiment recipes.
What Is Relish Made Of?
There are three key ingredients in relish: produce (fruits, vegetables or a mixture), vinegar, and sugar. Additional ingredients are often added, including spices like mustard seed to make old-fashioned mustard pickle relish or mayonnaise to make crisp onion relish.
So what can be used to make relish? Try any fruits or vegetables that are in season, from tomatoes and corn to cranberries and apples. Once you’ve chopped the produce, bring vinegar and sugar to a boil. (A good ratio for tangy relish is 1 part vinegar to 1/2 part sugar, but you can increase the sugar to equal parts or more to create a sweet relish.) When the sugar is dissolved, add chopped fruits and vegetables, along with spices. Onion, garlic and chilies add a ton of flavor, while herbs and spices like thyme, celery seed, mustard seed or fennel seed create layers of muted flavor that allow the produce to shine.
What Does Relish Taste Like?
The taste of relish will vary depending on the ingredients used. Some are sweet while others are spicy and acidic. No matter what ingredients are used, relish should always taste fresh and tangy with bright, bold flavors and a rich, acidic aftertaste. While some relish is softer than others, pickle relish should be crunchy and textured.
Relish vs. Chutney
Chutney and relish are very similar. Like relish, chutney is made from fruits or vegetables, and it also contains vinegar, sugar and spices. The main difference between the two centers around consistency. The ingredients in relish are cooked in the spiced vinegar, but they maintain their texture and bite. Chutney, on the other hand, is usually slow-cooked until the ingredients break down and become soft. This long cooking time also tends to make chutney thicker than relish, which has a looser texture.
Wondering if your condiments really expire? Use this guide on how long condiments last to decide what can stay and what needs to go
Our Best Relish Recipes
FAQs
Relish falls into the condiment category. It's a preserve that contains finely chopped vegetables, fruit, or sometimes both in a vinegar mixture. It's commonly used like a condiment, as a spread on sandwiches or stirred into sauces, but has a chunkier texture than a traditional condiment like ketchup or mustard.
What is in the relish? ›
There are three key ingredients in relish: produce (fruits, vegetables or a mixture), vinegar, and sugar. Additional ingredients are often added, including spices like mustard seed to make old-fashioned mustard pickle relish or mayonnaise to make crisp onion relish.
What is relish in hot dogs? ›
Produced from best quality vegetables and spices
Featuring crunchy pickled cucumber and cabbage immersed in vinegar, the Heinz Hot Dog Relish will help you create flavors which complement your favorite snack.
What is a relish in cooking terms? ›
Relishes are cooked or pickled chopped fruits or vegetables that are mixed together in a sauce. In comparison, chutneys are a type of relish. Relish is normally made with vegetables, while chutney is mostly made with fruit.
What is relish and example? ›
The verb relish means to enjoy something immensely. You may relish eating the relish on your hotdog, or you may relish taking an afternoon nap. The word relish has been around since the 16th century and comes to us from the French, who are pretty good at indulging and savoring.
What is the meaning of relish the Flavour? ›
: characteristic flavor. especially : pleasing or zestful flavor.
Why is relish so good? ›
Well, that depends on what's in it! All relish should have bright, zesty flavors with a rich, slightly acidic aftertaste. The vinegar and sugar should make for tangy-sweet goodness.
What foods use relish? ›
Set up a 'serve yourself' relish buffet and watch everyone line up to get a taste. Smother it over pork chops, kebabs, fish, steak, or sausages, or use it as a dip for chips, crackers, cheese and vegetable sticks. Just remember to hide some for a sneaky taste straight from the jar, after everyone's gone home!
Is salsa a relish? ›
Relish: A savoury sauce made with fairly finely chopped vegetables and/or fruit with vinegar and sugar. Salsa: Most often a tomato-based savoury sauce containing hot peppers and other strong spices.
Is relish good on hamburgers? ›
Try caramelized onion relish. This sweet and soft red onion relish works great on any burger. Delicate and sweet, top your burger patty with a layer of onion relish and enjoy the rich flavour that this condiment adds.
A: Dill relish is seasoned with the dill herb and hs a minimal quantity of sugar. Sweet relish is spiced usually with clove, and it has a large quantity of sugar or other sweeteners.
What is the green stuff on a Chicago dog? ›
Chicago-style relish is a type of sweet pickle relish typically used on Chicago-style hot dogs. The unique color of the relish, often referred to as "neon green", is created by adding blue dye to regular pickle relish.
Is relish a condiment? ›
A relish is a cooked and pickled culinary dish made of chopped vegetables, fruits or herbs and is a food item typically used as a condiment to enhance a staple. Examples are chutneys and the North American relish, a pickled cucumber jam eaten with hot dogs.
What flavor is relish? ›
While technically relish is a term that refers to any sort of chopped vegetable or fruit-based condiment, when we say relish 'round these parts, we're talking specifically about the sweet, tangy, crunchy, jam-like condiment made with cucumbers and typically flavored with mustard seed (or mustard!).
What is the answer to the relish? ›
If you relish something, you get a lot of enjoyment from it. Relish is also a noun. The three men ate with relish. If you relish the idea, thought, or prospect of something, you are looking forward to it very much.
Is relish just chopped up pickles? ›
In North America, the word "relish" is frequently used to describe a single variety of finely chopped pickled cucumber relish, such as pickle, dill and sweet relishes.
Is relish a sweet or dill? ›
A: Dill relish is seasoned with the dill herb and hs a minimal quantity of sugar. Sweet relish is spiced usually with clove, and it has a large quantity of sugar or other sweeteners.
What condiment is gentlemans relish? ›
This classic condiment is a type of seasoned anchovy butter that is also known as Patum Peperium. The strong anchovy flavor is complemented by cayenne pepper and ground nutmeg, and fresh lemon juice cuts through both the butter and the anchovy to add just a little lightness to this intense compound butter.
What's the difference between cranberry sauce and relish? ›
There is an important difference between cranberry sauce and cranberry relish and that is that cranberry relish is made from raw ingredients blended in a food processor (it's more fresh and tart tasting) and cranberry sauce is cooked and often much sweeter than relish.
